If you’re wondering what they are, you’re in the right place. We have compiled a list of 8 small or unknown facts about Finnish culture that we are happy to share with you today.
Are you ready? Then dive into these interesting facts!
1. Finland is the happiest country in the world
The first thing that may surprise Finland is that it is the happiest country in the world. And if you think it’s a joke, we have to disappoint you because it really isn’t! According to the UN-sponsored World Happiness Report, the country has been officially named the happiest place in the world for the fourth time in a row. The survey asked people from 149 countries to rate their happiness.
But here’s the question: what makes Finns so happy?
Finland’s number one place is probably due to the combined effect of several factors. First of all, Finns are surrounded by beautiful, clean nature. That’s why they spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying the beauty of nature. Second, they have access to one of the world’s best welfare systems, high-quality education and free health care. Finally, most Finns focus on healthy eating and a full life and fun in general. Fortunately, if they don’t want to go out, they can still enjoy themselves thanks to a huge selection of entertaining sites. listed here.
2. There are a lot of strange competitions in Finland
Interestingly, there are numerous strange and crazy competitions taking place across the country. For example, one of Finland’s best-known competitions is the World Cup for Wife Carrying. Basically, it’s a competition where men have to carry their female teammates (this person doesn’t have to be their wife). A competitor who is able to drive his teammate through the obstacle course first wins the race. And what is the prize? As many liters of beer as the winning teammate weighs in pounds!
Another interesting Finnish event is the Air Guitar World Championships, which are held annually in North Oulu. During this competition, participants from all over the world will take the stage and compete in air guitar playing. This event has become very popular over the years, so some countries even have to hold pre-qualifiers.
3. Expectant mothers receive a Baby Box from the Finnish state
As mentioned above, Finland has an excellent welfare system that promotes the well-being of Finnish citizens. As part of this, the Finnish state gives every expectant mother a special gift: a maternity package or a so-called baby box. The box can be considered a starter kit as it contains supplies from baby supplies to indoor and outdoor clothing to help mothers take care of newborn babies. In addition, the baby box itself also acts as a cot.
The tradition of providing baby boxes in Finland is over 80 years old. So it is no surprise that Finland is at the forefront countries with the lowest infant mortality rates in the world.
4. Finns are the world’s largest coffee consumers
When drinking coffee, Finns take things to a whole new level. In fact, they drink more coffee per capita than any other country in the world. According to statistics from the International Coffee Organization, Finns drink an average of 12 kg (26.45 lbs) of coffee a year. This means that people typically drink about 5-8 cups of coffee a day in the country. However, Finns like a lighter roast than other countries.
If you are wondering why they drink so many cups of coffee a day, the main reason is that coffee plays a significant role in Finnish culture. Finns drink coffee all the time: meeting a friend, warming up on a cold day or even in the sauna. In addition, coffee helps them stay awake on dark days in the winter.
5. There are more than 2 million saunas in the country
Undoubtedly, one of the most shocking facts about Finnish culture is that there are more than 2 million saunas in the country. Especially considering that Finland’s population is only about 5.5 million!
For Finns, the sauna is a very important thing. It is the perfect place to cleanse both body and mind, relax and enjoy the present, but also meet new people and socialize. In addition, studies show that regular sauna visits (optimally several times a week) have many health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart attack and dementia. So Finns very often go to the sauna at home, at the gym or at work. When visiting Finland, you can find saunas in completely unexpected places, such as student apartments or diplomatic buildings.
In December 2020, the Finnish sauna tradition has even been added UNESCO World Heritage List.
6. There are a lot of heavy metal bands in Finland
You have probably already heard that Finns love listening to heavy metal music. However, you probably did not know that Finland has the highest ratio of heavy metal bands in the world to 100,000 inhabitants. More specifically, there are about 42 bands per 100,000 inhabitants in the country.
Finland’s best-known heavy metal bands are Lordi, Apocalyptica, Nightwish and Finntroll. In addition, Finns even have a heavy metal band for children. Hevisaurus members are known to perform in special dinosaur costumes.
7. There are 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland
Tourists can find a total of 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland, six of which are cultural sites and one a natural site. If you want to explore these great places, here is a complete list of sites:
- Suomenlinna Fortress
- Petäjävesi old church
- Sammallahdenmäki Bronze Age Cemetery
- Verla grinding and board factory
- Struve geodetic arc
- Old Rauma
- Kvarken archipelago
8. Finns live according to the unique concept of “Sisu”
“Sisu” is a unique concept that has its roots in Finland for hundreds of years and is still followed by Finns in their daily lives. While the word itself does not have a direct translation, it does mean some perseverance, strength, or determination. When Finns face difficulties, they do not give up. They keep pushing until they complete the task. As they say: what needs to be done – whatever the cost – is done. In addition, when Finns make a decision, they stick to it until the end.
This exceptional attitude helps Finns to remain brave and succeed in situations where success is highly unlikely.
This was our list of little or no unknown facts about Finnish culture. I hope you found them interesting and they helped you learn more about this beautiful and magical Nordic country and its unique culture.
Source: The Nordic Page